The National Green Tribunal applauded Delhi Development Authority’s “purposeful” efforts toward cleaning Yamuna and its banks.
The NGT bench, headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar, lauded DDA for working towards implementing its January 13 order wherein the Tribunal has taken upon itself to get the Yamuna cleaned under “Maily se Nirmal Yamuna Revitalisation Plan 2017”.
“...DDA has already taken very effective steps in relation to demarcation of floodplains (once in 25 years, as held by NGT) and have started physical demarcation,” the NGT said.
It also noted that DDA has prevented dumping of any waste — particularly construction waste — in and on the banks of river Yamuna.
“They (DDA) have created task forces as well as provided CCTV cameras at different locations on Yamuna bank to ensure no person is throwing any kind of waste in and on the banks of Yamuna. They are also taking effective steps to stop and regulate agricultural activities on flood plains which are causing serious health hazards,” Justice Swatanter Kumar noted.
“While recording our appreciation in this regard and for the work done by the DDA, we direct the Vice-Chairman, DDA to ensure compliance of the remaining directions at the earliest and in any case within the time stipulated in the Judgement,” the Bench said.
The NGT had, on January 13, announced a fine of Rs.50,000 and Rs.5,000 for anyone dumping debris and waste respectively in river Yamuna.
It had directed all agencies concerned to demarcate flood plains as the level of flood water once in 25 years.
DDA has already taken very effective steps in relation to demarcation of flood plains and have started physical demarcation
